Merry Merry Christmas!

Tara's late with Christmas jolly falalalalalalalalala
Hope you can forgive her folly falalalalalalalala
Life is good but very crazy falalalalalalalalala
Grateful for our friends and crazies (aka family) falalalalalalalalala.

Just a little harmless ranting

Today as I was reading some of the headlines across the country I came across this one:

Law curbs McDonald's Happy Meal toys

You can read the entire article here.

But if you just want the gist of the article... the city of San Fran has banned kids meals w/toys until they up the nutritional value of the food.

Um really?! This is so wrong to me on many levels. First, I will state I am NOT a McDonalds fan myself. Much to the disappointment to Ryan and the kids. (Infact, Ryan had to organize a Micky D's day at work just to get his fix.) With that in mind it should be obvious that I am not defending McDonald's for their taste or quality of food.

People that go to McDonald's KNOW it's not a health conscious decision. It's pretty much a no-brainer you will consume large amounts of empty calories. We don't need anyone or any government to make us aware of that. I think San Franciscans should feel a little offended that their government leaders see their citizens as unfit parents that can't make good decisions for their kids. 

Does anyone else see this as insulting?

I won't even go into the government trying to run everyone's businesses for them. Good thing the gov't is run so efficiently - otherwise things could be a lot worse..... oh. wait.

 

Halloweenie

So I know I will probably lose some likability by posting this - but I must.
I do not love Halloween. Infact, the last minute costuming and the kids hopped up on sugar causes me great mental pain. (not to mention the hit my hips take with all the sugar laying around the house.)
However, I will post some pics of the kids - because they still love this holiday with every fiber of their cavity filled beings. :)

Miracle of miracles

I have some serious catching up to do! I am not silly enough to think I will every fully catch up but in the attempt to try I will not necessarily be posting chronologically. :)

The next miracle (besides the fact that there is a new post on my blog) is my Bossman. I have yet to blog about him and he is going to be 7 months on Sept. 22nd!

Here is a recap of highlights of his first 7 months of life. :)
He was born on Feb 22nd via c-section at about 9:30 am. (It would have been earlier but the dr slept through his alarm.) He was 8lbs 15 oz (pretty much 9 pounds) and 22 inches long.

6 weeks

 He like Maddy had to be under the lights when he came home.  It is always stressful for me after my babies are born. I worry - a lot. In this case the dr said if his #'s went up any more he would have to return to the hospital. So I did my best to keep him under the lights and feed him every 2 hours. The next day some how his points had dropped from just over 18 to 12!!! I know it was tender mercies of the Lord that allowed that miracle to happen.
We blessed Boston in April. His full name is Boston Seth Tanner. Ryan gave a beautiful blessing - he is such a good dad.

Boston started sleeping through the night at 2 months. IT was so nice to get real sleep again! Until.... he was 4 months and was lucky enough to have croupe and a double ear infection. It completely RUINED his sleeping and he hasn't gotten back to sleeping through the night since. :(
Part of the problem is that he shares his sleeping space with Maddy and I can't let him cry it out like he needs to. Guess it's time for a bigger house.
Boston has already flown twice! The first time was in May to California.

Cardon is gone...

We took our family vaycay to Disneyland. I thought it would be doable with a young baby that could sleep most the time..... well not so much. He did NOT miss a feeding first of all. (Good thing Disney has a nice little nursery place for babies and moms.) It was a little crazy with 4 little ones and only 2 adults. More about that for a future post.

His next flight was to St. Louis MO where I went to my Uppercase Living convention. Again - a little chaotic. He did get to meet lots of women who were very supportive while I was pregnant with him.

Boston in Downward Facing Dog position :)

Lately he has been VERY busy. He is great at sitting - infact too great. I expect him to crawl any day now. He also loves to pull himself up on things and cruise around the sides. I am SO in trouble. I do love this little guy to pieces though. We are so glad he is a part of our family!

Still alive

So I am a pile of crap. I am. I have yet to blog about our newest family member (who is now 3.5 months) or our trip to Disneyland. I promise I will catch up.... as soon as I finish my latest project.

See this "baby ticker" to the side?

If you look to the side of this post (atleast while this post is first). You will see a baby floating in a bubble with the countdown at the bottom.
It is so deceiving. They should show a picture of a baby totally cramped into a ball and kicking and spasming every so often. That would me much more accurate - and more interesting to watch.
I haven't really done a good job about recording my thoughts and feelings about this pregnancy and baby.
I am excited to meet this little guy. I already have hopes and dreams of what he will be like and what he can become. I also worry about him and his health. Not that there are any indicators - but I am just that way. I pray every night that he will be born strong and healthy. (Here's hoping that the fact that he likes to re-arrange my innards daily as he is still quite active - is a good sign that he is healthy and alert in there.
He is also measuring 3 weeks bigger then average. This is why I have c-sections. Big babies and surprisingly small birth canal. (I always thought I was blessed with great "birthing hips" but apparently the outward appearance is not a determining factor. Go figure.) Atleast this pregnancy - nobody has asked me if I am having twins. I guess there is still time left.....

As much as I love my little newborns - I really do NOT enjoy pregnancy. If I were to allow a picture to be posted of me here - you would see why. I don't really wear it well. I get big - everywhere. I waddle. I breathe heavy because my lungs have no room left to expand. I also feel very guilty for being neglectful of my responsibilities at home - such as food prep, cleaning, laundry etc. I am so blessed to have a husband who is willing to pick up so much slack. I love him so much. Not only does pick up the slack - but he quietly listens to my complaints and whining. Thanks sweetheart. :)

I try to remind myself of the miracle of life. It truly is. Somehow my body is sustaining TWO people right now. How does it just know how to do that? How can anyone who has ever carried a child or held a newborn question if there is a God? It really is an amazing thing.

Sometimes I wish that I could share this experience with Ryan. I know you are probably laughing right now - and for good reason. Yes, it would be interesting to see how he would handle pregnancy. However, I feel like I have already formed a bond with this little guy as I have become familiar with his movements (and bouts of hiccups every hour or so) - and so it seems more familiar with him and his personality. Every time I try to "introduce" him to somoneone but letting them feel him kick - he gets shy and hides. Infact, both ultrasounds I have had - he has been hiding with his face towards my back. How long do you think will last once he is taught by his older siblings?

Two weeks from today is his scheduled entry into the world. While I have plenty of items on my "To Do" list - I would be just fine if he decided to come earlier. ...... please?! Maybe later I will post some pictures of my swollen legs and feet. For posterity's sake. I know this is a rambling post... probably as good as it's going to get for a while. :) Thanks for letting me ramble. Can't wait to meet you baby Tanner #4!!!

It was finally warm enough to play in the snow!

This past weekend the temps were finally out of the negative and single digits. Infact they were in the high 30's! In celebration we decided to have a picnic!
Ok not really - but the difference in temp was enough to motivate Ryan and the kids to go out and build a snowman! (Complete with a hotdog nose!)

I being slightly immobile and not fitting into any of my winter snow clothes took pictures - from INSIDE. :)

Ryan is such a good dad - and the kids and dog had a blast!!


p.s. The snowman was a 5 ball snow man. :) ;) :)